11 gifts that seem expensive...but aren't
During the holidays, it's natural to have the urge to splurge on gifts; after all, nothing is too good for our parents, siblings, spouses, and dear friends, right? However, a smart shopper never financially overextends himself during the holidays. But just because you can't blow a bundle on them doesn't mean that you can't听blow their minds. Trick your loved ones into thinking that you spent a lot by choosing gifts that have a high perceived value or sentimentality. Here are a few gift categories that tend to seem more expensive than they are.
Opt for Pearl Jewelry
Regardless of how easily this gem can now be produced on oyster farms, the pearl still exudes an air of class and elegance over many other听听options. We routinely see inexpensive choices 鈥� like this听Two Row 8mm AAA White Freshwater Pearl听($17.49 via coupon code "dealnews30" with free shipping, a low by $6) 鈥� that have the luster and weight characteristic of pearls, which the average person will associate with a much pricier product. Take heed, though, because some people find pearls to be a bit stuffy; make sure you know your audience with this one.
Shop the Outlets for Designer Goods at Half Price
Though buying clothes for someone is often a dicey prospect ("Oh, you听don't听like American flag-patterned jeggings?!") opening a box to reveal a designer-brand cardigan can really pay off. But designer brands can be expensive even with Christmas sales. Enter the likes of听Saks Fifth Avenue OFF FIFTH,听Last Call Neiman Marcus, and听J. Crew Factory. These stores are nothing听but听constant sales on name-brand clothing. Sure, you may find last season's fashions and听special wares designed specifically for the outlet store, but that just means big savings 鈥� of up to 60% off. And in some cases, the giftee may never know your dirty little outlet shopping secret.
There are also some traditional, brick-and-mortar outlet stores that will sometimes also include manufacturing-defected items. You can still get perfectly good high-end items at a deep discount, just make sure to inspect potential purchases to make sure they don't听have a red dot on the sleeve.
Sail Away on a Cruise
When someone hears, "I'm whisking you off on a cruise!" no one thinks, "Wait ... I'll听bet听you got a deal on this!" Nope, it's a vacation! It's exciting! There's packing to do! What the giftee doesn't know is that听cruises can beridiculouslyinexpensive. Take this听Royal Caribbean 4-night Bahamas holiday 听(from $350, a low by $32), which is a vacation for two 鈥� for听less than what it costs to buy an iPad. That's a huge gesture, without the huge strain on your wallet. (Just try and forget about all the recent "poop cruises," sinkings,and illnesses and focus on the savings!)
We're Into Leather, and You Should Be Too
Sometimes the material of an item alone is enough to suggest a certain level of expense. Leather is one such material. (Think of Ricardo Montalb谩n purring, "Rich Corinthian leather!" despite the fact that there is no such thing 鈥� but it听sounds听luxurious!) As far as budget leather accessories go, it's best to stick to simple styles, which makes this a particularly fitting option when buying for men. This听Joseph Abboud Men's Leather Passcase听($8.50 with free shipping, a low by $2), for example, is consistently available for under $10. The wallet section at听Wilsons Leather, too, is听with cheap options, and also sees regular听sitewide , so make sure to look for one before checking out.
Factory-Refurbished Items Are Good As New
Several merchants, including听Apple,听Canon,听Nikon, and听Dyson, have a history of selling beautifully restored, clean, and good-as-new-looking refurbs. These companies are meticulous in reconditioning their wares, making them look as presentable as possible. But since they're still used items, that also means huge savings for you 鈥� especially if someone on your list wants an听iPad,听DSLR, or high-end听. Going this route, you can find yourself saving of up to 31% off iPads and up to $192 off Canon EOS DSLRs, just to name a few.
For other brands, refurbs aren't as easy to come by. Look for items that specifically call out听factoryrefurbishment; this is your best bet to ensure quality. It's also smart to avoid anything labeled simply as "used" and phrases like "scratch and dent," because听that听stuff is going to look like it was tossed into a dryer with a handful of rocks and no one wants to open up something like that as a present. Also keep an eye out for warranty information; be sure that there听is听one, first of all, but also make sure that it's supplied by the manufacturer.
When gifting a refurbished product, there's always a chance that the giftee will find out. (Many manufacturers include such information on packing slips, ship items in nondescript brown boxes, or have other tell-tales that'll give you away.) For that reason, we recommend telling your giftee from the get go about the refurb status, in which case you could tell him or her that it was either a refurb, or no gift at all. We think they'll come around and see that a refurb isn't all that bad after all!
Bath & Body Works As A Gift Basket
Unless it's a bar of Ivory, people tend to assume that bath and beauty items are higher-end. But that shouldn't stop you from getting them听actually听higher-end stuff. For instance, even though the Bath & Body Work's Signature Collection of lotions, body wash, and scents can be rather expensive if bought one at a time 鈥� prices start at $11 a pop 鈥� the merchant听always听seems to have some kind of听BOGO sales听running. In fact, right now, they have a听buy three, get three free promotion! Essentially cutting 50% off your total price, you can stock up on several bottles of the sweet-smelling beauty goo, then divvy them up into your own DIY gift sets. Your giftee will never know, so you can make a ...听clean getaway. (Puts on sunglasses. YEAAAAAAAH!)
Be Quirky or Kooky
We were inclined to title this option "something from ThinkGeek," and call it a day. But really, anything that has a high quirk factor is a great gift. And cool gifts are less likely to endure the usual "how much did this cost" gaze of a gift recipient. (You know we听all听do it!) Plus, who听really听knows how much a toy sonic screwdriver costs? Was it $10? $50? If it's something the recipient thinks is cool, then they'll mentally assign a greater personal value to it, and that's a win for the giver! This category of thrifty-gifty can only be pulled off if you really know the personality of who you're buying for, and it requires slightly more creative energy than usual. (But if you know they happen to like Star Wars or Dr. Who, you're pretty golden at ThinkGeek.)
Gifts from Back in the Day
A sentimental connection to an item is the easiest way to give it transcendental value, and these days, it's easy to find a wealth of products that play upon our "good old days" memories.听Urban Outfitters,听80s tees, and even听Hot Topic听are all stores that twang the heart strings for a certain generation. Who wouldn't tear up over an Alf T-Shirt or a pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle socks? Get your buddy a听Stereo Vinyl听($59.99 with free shipping, a low by $13) and he'll be so nostalgic about the first time he broke his arm in the '80s that he won't give a thought to price!
Save Cash on Cashmere
This option works for the same reason that leather accessories do: the material alone connotes value. Sure, the least expensive cashmere items are probably going to be a cotton blend, but they'll still carry the cashmere cachet. Kohl's frequently has inexpensive styles, and currently there are several听Apt 9 women's sweaters听(from $29.74 via coupon code "SCARF" with $6.95 s&h, $95 off) that should fit a tight budget.
Family Photos Aren't So Awkward
Typically, only family members will think of a portrait as valuable (but it's worth trying out on your boss, just to see what happens). If you live far away from your parents and extended relations, and you happen to have some photogenic offspring in your brood, a photo memento can be a particularly effective, thoughtful, and inexpensive gift. Save more money by skipping the professional sitting and just ask a friend with a decent digital SLR to take a few snaps of you and your kin at home. Then, use a听photo print deal听to make copies. Right now you can get an听11x14" canvas print of a photos for $14.98听in-store at Walmart.
Any Editors' Choice Deal (Within Your Budget)
The best way to give someone a gift that seems more expensive than it really is? Buy it at a significant discount! That's exactly what you'll find in our听Editors' Choice , as it's filled with all-time low prices and rare sales. Some of the items will still fall into the upper levels of your budget, but it's an excellent, fool-proof guide to getting your dollar to stretch its furthest. And lower-priced goods make for excellent stocking stuffers!
There's no shame in shopping with a budget during the holidays. In fact, knowing your limits before you start punching in your credit card info will help prevent excessive spending. The items above will help keep your expenditures down while still making your loved ones feel appreciated.
Jeff Somogyi is the media editor for Dealnews.com, where this article first appeared:听
